In a significant move towards peace, seven communist rebels have surrendered to authorities in Central Luzon over the past two weeks, according to a report from the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO 3) on Thursday. The surrenders took place across three provinces: five in Nueva Ecija, one in Aurora, and one in Pampanga.
Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, the PRO 3 Director, emphasized the importance of these surrenders, stating, ‘Each surrender, each withdrawal of support marks a crucial step towards enduring peace.’ She praised the former rebels for choosing a path of hope and progress over fear and conflict, highlighting their bravery in escaping the grip of deceit.
On February 6, five members of the Alyansa ng Mamamayang Nagkakaisa-Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation (ALMANA-FMMR) group surrendered in Nueva Ecija. Known only by their aliases ‘Dodong,’ ‘Boyet,’ ‘Amay,’ ‘Ino,’ and ‘Isto,’ they revealed that they were recruited into the communist movement by Tom Guevarra back in 2015.
A week later, on February 11, a 37-year-old woman identified as ‘Glaiza’ surrendered in Maria Aurora, Aurora. Previously part of Iskwad Tersera, Bagong Hukbong Bayan, she handed over a non-functional .38 caliber revolver without a serial number. Her surrender was facilitated by the Aurora 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, the Provincial Intelligence Unit, and the Maria Aurora Municipal Police Station.
On the same day, a 56-year-old man known as ‘Ben,’ a member of Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon – Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (AMGL-KMP), surrendered in Pampanga. He turned in a 40mm M203 grenade launcher ammunition.
Fajardo reiterated the Philippine National Police’s commitment to aiding the reintegration of these former rebels into society, offering them livelihood assistance and other support programs to help them become productive members of the community.